Sealing panel for cedar chests or like receptacles



Oct. 23, 1934. LQFTIN 1,978,138

SEALING PANEL FOR CEDAR CHESTS 0R LIKE RECEPTACLES Filed June 13, 1953 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Oct. 23, 1934 l 1 {UNITED sTArss PATENT OFFICESEA LIN G PANEL FOR CEDAR CHESTS OR LIKE RECEPTACLES Grady A. Loftin,Altavista, Va., assignor to The 7 Lane Company, Inc., a corporation ofVirginia Application June 13, 1933, Serial No. 675,642

4 Claims. (01. 206-10) This invention relates to sealing panels orcloimpraetical, to so clean every article; stored asto sures for thestorage chambers of cedar chests insure the non-existence of moth'larvaor moth orother like receptacles constructed of cedar-- eggs when thearticle was stored away. wood or other materials giving off vapor oraroma Experiments demonstrate the fact that the r the escape of which tothe external atmosphere it aroma of the cedar oil, which is in factcedar 6O is desired to prevent, or receptacles for goods oil in a highlygaseous or vapor state, suspended W containing volatile or evaporatingsubstances or in, the air, is extremely penetrating and that, ifessencesthe loss of which by evaporation to the the article infestedwith moth larvae' could be free atmosphere it is desired to prevent, orremaintained in a receptacle for a suflicient length 19 ceptacles forgoods subject toa drying out action of time wherethe cedar aroma was ofsufficient 6 5 or deterioration on exposurepto the atmosphere, density,all moth larvae would be completely which deleterious actions it isdesired to prevent. destroyed. The problem, therefore, was to first Theefficiency of action of a cedar chest as a obtain a suflicient amount ofcedar oil aroma, protector of garments stored therein against the nextto imprison this aroma in the receptacle so ravagesaof moths isdependent upon the strength that the article'would remain in anatmosphere to or amount of the aroma or cedar oilvapor conof cedar aromaof sufficient concentration the tained in the atmosphere of its goodsstorage requiredlength of time to destroy the moths and, space orchamber and the maintenance of this second, to so imprison and maintainthe basic strength againstlosses due to leakage even when supply ofcedar oil that the required density of 2.0 the lid or coverof the chestis kept constantly aroma would be supplied over a long period of 75closed. years to make the receptacle continuously eflec- Fromexperiments, conducted over quite along tive. period, the object ofwhich was to produce a cedar It was also found by experiment that cedarchest that would destroy the clothes moth larvae, aroma, that is cedaroil molecules in suspension it was discovered that aromathrown on by thein air, is heavier than air. Consequently it is so aromatic cedarwoodoil, found in aromatic cedar more dense at the bottom of the receptacleand, was effective in killing moth larvae of any age if of course, whenthe receptacle is closed the givthe proper concentration could bedeveloped, and i s Oil of the Cedar Oil molecules creates in the it wasalso found that the two fundamentals in receptacle a vapor or gaseouspressure which, a

so securing proper concentration of aromaare to although slight aspressuresfare ordinarily meas- 5 get enough cedarwood oil into the chestby in ured, is quite sufiicient to causethecedar aroma troducing enoughcedar lumber to supply this-oil to escape from the recept c e h u h a yand by making the chest sufliciently aroma tight. crevice or crack. And,while it will escape more By preventingthisleakage and putting enoughrapidly from a hole at the bottom of the chest,

oil in the chest enough concentration can be obas the density is greaterat the bottom, this pres- 9Q tained to kill moth larvae of any age,obviously sure created as heretofore explained, Will cause obviating thenecessity of having clothes cleaned it at certain s a to ape r r l f hto get them free of moth eggs and ,larvae, or location of the leak. LLeakage, or escape of the beaten, or brushed, orsunned, all of whichmetharoma from the chest is also caused by the varia- 4,0 odshave beenrecommended by variousauthorition in temperature in the room outside ascom ties to free fabrics of moth infestation; The ld pa d to theai w tin h s r The a p xitype of cedarchest which wasnot aroma tight matamount of edar oil in h avera red according to United States Governmentrecomcedar. board may be ascertained by dry;weight mendations would killnewly hatched moth worms andthe Chest COIIStTHCBBd ,Withthe p p am unt:45 up to half grown (three months old) but ifthe of redcedarfpr eachcubic inch of storage space;

fabrics had more than half grown moth worms This will give a Sufii e hqt y. of C da Oil on them, they were so hard to kill that thecedar toproduce aroma of sufficient density to be efaroma concentration in thechest was not strong fective in destroyingmoths, provided the densityenoughlto kill them, but this objection I have been of the aroma couldbe, maintained, leakage pre- 50 able to overcome with my new aroma tightchest. vented and the escape of thefcedar oilin the form The problemwhich I desired to workout was to of aroma could be largely confined tothe inside. destroy the moth larvae present in such articles, of thechest so that it might not be wasted'by or hatching from eggs, thatmight have been escape outside into the room.v V

deposited on them when they were stored away, This percentage ofredcedar to the cubic con- .55 as it has been difiicult and expensiveand, in fact, tent of a receptacle will not only supply an aroma. 1m

of sufficient density to destroy moths, but will continue to supply itover a long period of years, provided as above, that leakage and wasteare prevented.

My experiments conducted over many years have proven that the mothkilling efficiency of a cedar chest is proportionate to the amount ofcedar oil present in the closure and the aroma tightness of the closure.

A cedar chest may be specially constructed and provide special sealingmeans to prevent or reduce to a minimum loss of cedar oil vapor when thelid or cover of the chest is closed, and chests of this character keptin a more or less'closed condition at all times will be maintained ineffective condition for a long period of years. It is the custom,however, in stores in which the cedar chests are kept for sale to leavethe chests open when on display in order to clearly expose the internalconstruction, as a result of which a very material loss of the cedar oilaroma may occur, thus reducing the effective life period of usefulnessof the chest.

It is, therefore, highly desirable to provide a means for preventing orreducing the loss of cedar oil vapor from a chest kept open for display,while at the same time permitting the chest to be kept with its lid inopen condition so that the interior of the chest may be readily andconveniently inspected by prospective purchasers; and accordingly oneobject of my invention is to provide a transparent sealing means forsealing the open top of the storage chamber of a cedar chest from theescape of cedar oil aroma when the chest is left open for displaypurposes.

It is another object of my invention to provide a sealing means of thecharacter described in which provision is made for holding a transparentpanel composed of a sheet of air and waterproof material marginallysecured upon the rim of the chest body so that it may be applied at thefactory and employed as a supplemental sealing means to keep the chestbody sealed against the escape of cedar aroma at all times until sold toa person for use, and which person may thereupon remove the panel in aneasy and convenient manner to permit of the use of the chest without inany manner marring or damaging the chest.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a sealing meansof the character set forth which is adapted for general use to seal thestor age chamber of a container against deleterious actions which wouldoccur if the interior of the container or its contents were constantlyexposed to the atmosphere.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of thefeatures of construction, combination and arrangement of parts,hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, in which:- i i Fig. 1 is a perspective view of acedar chest, such as a Lane cedar chest, provided with a sealing panelembodying my invention, showing the lid of the chest thrown open toexpose the panel and the interior of the chest through the panel.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section through the rim of one of the walls of thechest body, showing the manner in which the protective panel is fastenedin position.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the arrangement after the panel hasbeen removed by severance along the designated cutting line.

Fig. 4 is a cross-section through. thfi rim O one of the walls of thechest body and the lid or cover, showing the lid in closed position andwith the sealing strip compressed.

Fig. 5 is a section similar to Fig. 4 showing the lid and sealing stripas they appear when the lid is closed but not locked.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a part of the chest body and panel,showing the reinforced portion of the panel cooperating with the lock.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, 1 designates a cedarchest or other receptacle, which may be, as customary, of oblongrectangular form and open at its top for insertion and removal of goodsfrom its storage space or chamber and provided with a lid or cover 2,hinged thereto, as at 3, for closing the open top of the storage chamberto keep the goods therein confined and to exclude the same from theatmosphere. The chest 1 comprises a bottom end walls 5, a rear wall 6and a front wall "I, which, together with the lid or cover 2, may beconstructed wholly or partly of cedar oil bearing wood in suificientquantity and of proper quality to supply cedar oil aroma for a period ofyears, assuming that undue leakage losses are avoided. In order toreduce these losses to a large extent the walls of the body and the lidor cover are specially constructed, as by providing them with aleakproof outer veneer, leak-proof joints between the parts thereof, andother means designed to prevent escape of cedar oil or cedar oil vaporfrom the interior outwardly through the chest walls. Also in order toclose the joints between the chest body and lid or cover when the latteris in closed position, the inner provided with a resilient metallicsealing strip 8 secured at one edge to the cover and projectingangularly therefrom toward its opposite or free edge, which free edge ofthe strip is adapted for engagement with the marginal rim edges 9 of thewalls of the chest body to close the spaces therebetween in an air-tightmanner. The strip is so applied and arranged that when the cover is letdown but is not locked in closed position the free edge of the stripwill engage the edges 9 and support the cover in a slightly raisedposition. By this means the joints between the lid and body will beclosed when the lid is let down but not locked in closed position, andso that when the cover is forced down and locked in closed position thestrip will be compressed to make the joints absolutely tight even in theevent of irregularities due to warping or other imperfections in thecover or contacting surfaces. The front wall '7 of the chest has appliedthereto a lock 10 of suitable construction for engagement with a keeper11 on the free edge of the cover, whereby the lid may be locked inclosed position whenever it is desired to make an absolutely tight sealor to prevent theft or unauthorized inspection of the contents of thechest.

In a cedar chest of good construction the internal protective atmosphereof the chest consists of a mixture of air and cedar aroma or cedar oilvapor, the vapor being formed by the exudation of oil from the exposedinner surfaces of the oil bearing wood which upon liberation becomesvaporized and combined with the air contained in the storage chamber ofthe chest. The efficiency of this atmosphere as a moth repellent anddestroyer is dependent not only upon the richness of the oil bearingmedia and its capacity to supply a suflicient quantity of oil to form amoisture of proper strength, but also upon the retention of the strengthof this atmosphere as a result of face of the lid or cover is leakagetothe outer atmosphere. Serious losses because of unduly rapid exudationand evaporation of the oil from the Wood may occur when a i be kept openfor an indefinite period of time so that its interior may be readilyviewed, while the same time sealing the chest against aroma losses sothat its life period of usefulness will be preserved and not in anymanner impaired.

I Incarrying my invention into practice for this purpose, I I providethe outer portions of the marginal or rim surfaces of the chest wallswith an L-shaped rabbet or recess 12, extending completely around thechest, the Walls of which recess having a horizontal floor portion 13and a vertical riser portion 14 connecting said floor portion 13 withthe surface 9. The rabbet or recess is designed to receive the depressedmarginal portions of a sealing panel 15 which is applied to extend overand cover the open top of thechamber and is of such dimensions as torest flatly upon the rim edges 9 and to provide a marginal portion 16adapted to be bent or deflect- ;ed downwardly in L formation so. as tobear against the floor and riser of the recess. This panel comprises asheet of some suitable clear transparent material which is impermeableto air and moisture and not aifected by cedar oil aroma. A good clearquality of untinted celluoid of the character used for moving'picturefilms may, for example, be used, so long as sheets of sufiicient clarityare provided to permit the interior construction and surfaces of thechest to be readily seen. This panel is secured in position by suitablefastening means, such as ornamental beading or molding strips 17 seatedin the recesses 12 and secured by nails or other suitable fastenings 18so as to firmly clamp the marginal portions of the panel 15 against thefloor and riser surfaces 13 and 14 of the recesses. These wood stripsmay be of pleasing appearance and ornamental character and incidentallyadd to the finish of the chest.

When the panel is applied in this manner to cover the opening in thechest it will protect the chest chamber against access of dust, dirt ormoisture and thus keep the chamber clean and free from foreign particleswhile it will, at the same time, act a barrier against the escape of thecedar oil vapor, thus maintaining the potency of the chest atmosphereand preventing loss of vapor which would ordinarily occur throughleakage of the vapor to the external atmosphere.

In practice the panel sheets may be applied to the chests at the factoryprior to shipment to a dealer, so that they will act as a sealing meanssupplemental to that of the cover to prevent any vapor losses due tounavoidable leakage, and this mode of application ensures the deliveryof the chest in the best possible condition and with the panel appliedin an expert manner, so that while these general advantages are gainedthe dealer will be saved the trouble and expense of applying the panelsand possible damage to the chest through the application of a panel byinexperienced hands obviated. When the chest reaches the dealer,therefore, he may at once set it out in open condition for display withthe assurance 3 that the interiorwill be protected not only against lossof vaporbut from dirt, dust, moisture and finger-marks, so that theworking efficiency and sales value and appearance of the chest will notbe reduced while it is exposed for free display and inspection. Thecharacter of the material employed not only. ensures against vaporlosses but also permits it to be dusted or washed off if casualty soiledwithout damage.

unimportant and desirable feature of my invention consists in making thestrips 17 of somewhat less depth'than the recess 12 and of its riserportion 14, so that the upper surface of the strip willterminatesuificiently below the rim surface 9 as to leave a definiteamount of the upper part of said riser portion and portion of the marginof the panel applied thereto exposed above, level of the upper surfaceof the molding strip. By this means the exposed upwardly projectingportion of the depressed margin of the panel will form a defined partalong which the body of the panel may be severed from the clampedmargins thereof whenever it is desired to remove the panel either by thepurchaser of the chest or by a dealer prior to delivery of the chest tothe customer. In this operation the upper surface of the molding stripwill form a guide by means of which a knife or other sharp tool may beengaged withthe defined panel portion in a quick and convenient mannerand the knife run around the entire margin of the panel to sever thesame, the upstanding part of the riser 14 serving in this connection asa firm backing for the sheet whereby a quick and clean cut may bereadily made.

By thismeans the panel may be removed but the dealer need not go to thetrouble of removing the remaining marginal portion or the molding strip,unless he desires to do so, as thesurfaces of the chest will not bemarred and no unsightly portions leftby the trimming action.

In order to permit of the passage of the lockingbolt of the lock memberthrough the panel for engagement with the keeper member, the panelportion overlying the lock member is provided with a bolt hole oropening 19. Because of the formation of this opening it is desirable tosuitably strengthen and reinforce thesheet at this point, which may beaccomplished by providing a laminated reinforce consisting of one ormore reinforcing plies which may be cemented or otherwise secured toeach other and to the panel sheet, and which may be of the same materialas the sheet or of any other suitable material.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings,the construction and mode of use of my novel and improved protectingpanel will be readily understood and it will Luccourse, be understoodthat a protective structure of this character may be used in connectionwith other similar receptacles where it is desired to prevent admissionof air or moisture to an open receptacle and the possibility of thedrying out or deterioration of goods in the receptacle, or

aroma or other losses from the contents of the receptacle, and Itherefore wish it understood that I reserve the right to employ theinvention in any of these connections. While the structure disclosed isthe one preferred, because of its combined simplicity and efliciency, itwill, of course, be understood that various changes in the form,proportions and details of construction may be made within the scope ofthe appended claims, without departing from the spirit or sacrificingany of the advantages of the invention.

In the process of manufacturing it frequently happens that some of theexterior finishing material spatters or otherwise deposits on the innersurface of the chest which results in setting up an oily or gummydeposit due to the cedar aroma coming in contact therewith, all of whichis avoided by placing this panel on the chest before the exteriorfinishing coating is applied to the chest.

What I claim is:-

1. In means for sealing the mouth of the storage chamber of a storagereceptacle against the escape of volatile substances therefrom whilepermitting ready observation of the chamber, a receptacle of thecharacter set forth having a bearing surface extending around its mouth,a transparent panel comprising a sheet of a flexible, transparentimpermeable material closing said chamber mouth and resting on thebearing surface, and means for securing said panel in position, saidmeans engaging a marginal portion of the panel and having an uppersurface lying below the plane of the bearing surface and defining acutting line along which the panel may be severed from its securedportion for removal of the receptacle.

2. In means for sealing and preventing evaporation of volatilesubstances from the storage chamber of a receptacle while permittingobservation of the chamber, a receptable having a storage chamberprovided with a mouth or opening and a recess surrounding the same andproviding a ledge portion and a shoulder portion, a panel of flexible,transparent, impermeable material covering said opening and having amarginal portion depressed into the recess and resting against saidledge and shoulder, and a securing strip disposed wholly in said recesssecured to and clamping the strip against the ledge and lower portion ofthe shoulder, said strip having an upper surface terminating below thetop of the shoulder and coacting therewith to form a guide surface for acutting tool and an anvil backing for the panel whereby the panel may besevered to separate the body part of the panel from the secured marginalportion thereof.

3. In a sealing closure for storage receptacles, a storage receptaclecomprising a body having a bottom and vertical walls forming a storagechamber and an opening communicating therewith, said walls of the bodybeing provided about said opening with a horizontal transverse bearingsurface, and a recess forming a horizontal ledge lying outwardly beyondsaid shoulder and between the same and the outer faces of said walls, avertical shoulder lying outwardly beyond and surrounding said bearingsurface, a hinged lid for closing said opening, a sealing panel offlexible transparent material covering said opening and resting on thebearing surface and provided with a marginal portion bent downwardlyinto the recess of the body, a molding strip lying wholly within saidrecess and clamping the marginal portion of the panel against said ledgeand shoulder of the recess, and having an upper surface terminatingbelow the top of the shoulder, and a resilient metallic sealing strip onthe lid adapted to bear upon said bearing surface of the receptacle andthe portion of the panel overlying the same.

4. The combination with cedar chests and similar receptacles, comprisinga chamber presenting an inner cedar oil vapor emanating surface, saidchamber having a permanent opening and a removable closure therefor, ofa temporary closure secured across said opening and sealing saidchamber, said closure consisting of a sheet of flexible, transparentmaterial which is impervious and neutral to cedar oil aroma.

GRADY A. LOFTIN.

